The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current, December 25, 2024, Image 14
Page 14 - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 The Jenkins County Times j enkinscountytimes. com Will Fedex Slow Deliveries Stop Christmas From Coming? -Joe Brady. Editor The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year for many, but for those waiting on delayed packages, it’s anything but cheerful. This year, shipping delays from FedEx have left some Jenkins County residents and business owners questioning if their holiday essentials will arrive on time. One local business owner, who asked to remain anonymous, has been waiting for a package for over two weeks—well past its estimated two-day delivery window. “We’re at 2.5 weeks on something that’s supposed to take two days,” he said. “Fine, it’s the holidays— it’s supposed to take a third day—but no one seems to know what’s going on.” Adding to his frustration, the business owner received a delivery notification last Friday. He waited at his store all day, only to later get a message stating an attempt had been made a claim he disputes. “We were here, the store was open, and no one came,” he said. As he described the ordeal, a FedEx tmck appeared outside his shop. “I can’t make this up,” he exclaimed, only to watch the tmck pull away before making a delivery. “It’s entirely possible we’re going to get an email now saying they attempted delivery,” he added. Delays Across the Region This business owner’s experience echoes frustrations felt by residents across Jenkins County and beyond. Some, like this editor, have packages that have been sitting in FedEx facilities for weeks. I’ve been waiting weeks for Styrofoam cups—they’ve been sitting in Pooler for over a week. Residents have taken to social media, sharing stories of missed deliveries and unhelpful customer service interactions. One Jenkins County resident noted, “Those of you that have gone to the FedEx location to pick up your package—did you just show up? Is there a number to an actual person you can talk to?” Many residents are worried their Christmas purchases won’t arrive in time, with one even ordering a duplicate gift. “I’ll just have two if the other one shows up,” she said. Nationwide Impact FedEx facilities across Georgia, including those in Austell and Pooler, have reported significant delays, with hundreds of packages reportedly stuck in transit. Customers in Augusta have resorted to visiting the company’s facility on International Boulevard, hoping to locate their packages. A viewer’s email to FedEx, shared with News 12, detailed widespread dissatisfaction: “It seems that no one in FedEx management knows of the issue of tmcks just sitting here, packages not being scanned, [or] processed.” The email described a scene of chaos, with frustrated customers demanding answers and employees unable to locate packages. FedEx’s Response In response to the delays, FedEx issued a statement acknowledging the disruptions: “We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by delays in the Cleveland area and appreciate our customers' patience as we implement contingencies—including securing additional delivery resources, extending operation hours and delivery times, and expanding package sorts to deliver these packages as quickly as possible.” Despite these assurances, many residents and business owners remain skeptical, with some pledging to switch to alternative carriers like UPS for future shipments. Will Santa Step In? With just days left before Christmas, some are jokingly calling on Santa Claus to abandon his partnership with FedEx and return to his trusty sleigh and reindeer. One North Pole spokesperson reassured us, “Nothing will keep Christmas from coming this year.” In the meantime, customers experiencing delays are encouraged to file claims online at FedEx File a Claim or call the FedEx customer service numbers at 912-243-6075 or 912-681-7770. Let’s hope for a smoother delivery season next year—perhaps one with less “tracking” and more “magic.” 2Q24St^dS^15Q $6000 Rebate r£NQlBAVM ENirSlF.ORflfflDAYS T4337 Starting at: 2024 Ford Edge 2024^1 F.ord'Bronco (912)564-7414 fylvaim Ford "Others call you customer...We call you friend. ***Dealer retains Ford rebates on New Vehicles www.sylvaniaford.com 330 Frontage Road West - Sylvania f Georgia 30467